summer | NKPR

The First TD-Union Block Party of the Summer

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Kristin

Last Thursday, TD Bank and Union celebrated the launch of the summer music season by rocking Toronto’s core with the TD-Union Block Party at Union Station!

As the Founding Sponsor and Exclusive Financial Service Partner of Union Station, TD and Union have come together to create a summer long program which is all about bringing people together to celebrate the importance of music in our lives. Planned acts include incredible Canadian talent from across the country.

Hosted by Canadian hip-hop legend and personality Kardinal Offishall, the TD-Union Block Party kicked-off with performances by up-and-coming artists Nefe and Andee, followed by sets from co-headliners Shawn Hook and Francesco Yates.

The audience sang along while Shawn Hook performed his breakout-hit Sound of Your Heart. Francesco Yates showed off his true star power, taking over the stage with his expert guitar playing, singing and dancing! Seeing everyone come together to enjoy some amazing home-grown talent was an incredible experience and we can’t wait for the next event.

TD will be continuing this musical programming throughout summer outside of Union Station. Make sure to stop by for some sunshine, snacks and celebration!

Francesco Yates posing with the Why Music Matters wall at the TD Union Block Party

Shawn Hook posing with the Why Music Matters wall at the TD Union Block Party

Francesco Yates performing at the TD Union Block Party

Shawn Hook and Francesco Yates appearing on Breakfast Television to chat about the TD Union Block Party

Kardinall Offishall hosting the TD Union Block Party

The gathered crowd loving the TD Union Block Party

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Toronto’s Best Patios & Delicious Eats

Posted on August 11, 2015 by caitlin

Summer isn’t over yet! With warm weather still in the forecast, our thoughts remain on sunsets, light jackets and of course…the endless search for the city’s best patios. Whether you’re grabbing drinks after work, enjoying a Sunday brunch or planning dinner with friends, the perfect restaurant always sets the scene.

Here are NKPR’s favourite city hot spots, that will make you feel like the ultimate foodie.

Montecito

The Beach Boys said it best, “I wish they all could be California girls”. Montecito bridges the divide between casual Cali-cool and fine dining with premium quality ingredients. Located in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District, Montecito puts you in the centre of the action featuring farm-to-table Southern Californian cuisine. Not to mention the garden patio’s foliage and canopy umbrellas to keep you cool during hot summer days. Stop by for their signature kale salad and mouthwatering JW Chicken, perhaps paired with a wine selection provided by the restaurant’s in-house sommelier.

Cibo Wine Bar

Get a (delicious) taste of Italy at Cibo Wine Bar – located in the stylish King West neighbourhood with a recently opened second location at Yonge & Eglinton. The menu offers authentic Italian cuisine with modern staples, and classic fresh in-house pasta (is your mouth watering yet?). The trendy feel and inviting atmosphere means Cibo Wine Bar is sure to top your favourites list…and make it onto your Instagram feed!

Gusto

The two words that make our summer hearts flutter? Rooftop patio. Gusto blends the perfect mix of comfy and industrial décor, serving up international flavours with Italian classics. Treat your taste buds to the margherita pizza and Tuscan grilled Bistecca striploin, plus wine on tap for $1.00 an ounce…oh yes, you read that correctly.

Thompson Toronto

The Thompson Toronto is a chic summer escape right above the city. The rooftop lounge offers a breathtaking 360° view of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario amidst a lounge atmosphere and the city’s best looking clientele. Guests can dip in the infinity pool by day and linger on the patio by night, enjoying creative seasonal cocktails (toast to the champagne cocktail or James Bond inspired Vesper) and inventive cuisine far above the fray.

DAVIDsTEA

Some things are just meant to go together: peanut butter and jelly, Beyoncé and Jay Z, cold drinks and hot summer days. DAVIDsTEA offers an extensive collection of their signature teas served over ice; perfect to grab when strolling through fellow Queen West stores. Enjoy $1.00 iced tea all summer long when you purchase one of the brightly coloured travel mugs…talk about fulfilling your cravings to a “tea”. We at NKPR LOVE the sweet and refreshing Strawberry Colada ice tea (talk about an afternoon pick-me-up).

What are your favourite summer hotspots? Tweets us @NatashaNKPR!

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Fall Fashion: The Great Camel Comeback

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Ashton

As we say goodbye to summer’s colourful sundresses and flowy skirts, we welcome the return of fall and most importantly… jacket weather! Jackets and coats are an accessorizer’s dream, from bold prints to traditional neutrals we’re loving this season’s take on old classics.

One of our favourites: The Camel Coat. No longer just your grandmother’s go-to, this classic staple is a fall fashion must-have.

We break down this season’s hottest trend with help from Jones New York taking this look runway to realway. Introducing The Great Camel Comeback…

Tell us how you’d style your Camel Coat…tweet us at @NatashaNKPR!

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Summer Sandwiches Contest: Win a Zwilling Panini Knife!

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Ashton

Summer is the perfect time of year for fresh ingredients and delicious outdoor eats… And what better way to spend a beautiful, sunny day than out for a picnic with your favourite home-made sandwich?!

We’ve been inspired by ZWILLING incredible Panini/Sandwich Knife that easily slices through crusty breads and deli items and has a wide blade for easy spreading of condiments – definitely a summer must-have!

If you have questions in the kitchen (which most of us do!), ZWILLING.ca is a fantastic resource for all your cooking needs offering incredible how to’s and easy-to-follow tutorials. The Knife Tutorial is definitely worth checking out – it breaks down each individual knife from the ZWILLING Pro Collection and explains why each one is sized differently and how their unique shape is dependent on each knife’s purpose.

So before you hit the grill, click here for lots of helpful tips!

**Tweet us at @NatashaNKPR and tell us YOUR favourite summer sandwich using #cookwithzwilling for your chance to WIN your very own Zwilling Panini/Sandwich Knife ($150 value)!

Take a look at some of NKPR’s favourite summer sandiwches…

Bunmi: BLT with avocado

Meg: Grilled Cheese

Denise: Wichcraft (minus the eggplant and courgette)

Tory: Walnuts, prosciutto, pear and blue cheese on a baguette

Jasmin: Nutella, peanut butter, jelly and banana on rye bread

Nicole: Anything peanut butter

Kristin: Caprese sandwich with buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes

Ashton: Grilled cheese with tomato and bacon

Ania: Rye bread with avocado, tomato and jalapeno havarti

Andre: Chicken Panini – kaiser with grilled chicken, avocado, olive oil and sauteed bell peppers

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National Bikini Day with Woody’s Canada!

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Ashton

Tomorrow is National Bikini Day!

When we think of bikinis, we think of hot summer days lounging on the beach with the wind in your hair and a cold drink in your hand… Thankfully, Woody’s Canada has summer’s coolest cooler: Mango & Passionfruit!

On behalf of National Bikini Day, Woody’s Canada rounded up a brief (and super fun!) history of the bikini…

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National Bikini Day with Woody's Canada!

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Ashton

Tomorrow is National Bikini Day!

On behalf of National Bikini Day, Woody’s Canada rounded up a brief (and super fun!) history of the bikini…

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Behind the scenes: Mulberry’s Spring Summer ’14 Campaign

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Kristin

We’re Cara Delevingne obsessed (let’s be honest…who isn’t?), so naturally we fell in love with Mulberry’s Spring Summer ’14 campaign starring the beautiful Cara and co-stars including a Parson’s Jack Russell, a Patterdale Terrier and a Great Dane, a pelican, two cockatoos, a tortoise and a pony. The campaign is incredibly cute and quintessentially British, shot by Tim Walker and art directed by Ronnie Cooke Newhouse of House and Holme.

NKPR got a behind the scenes look at the making of the campaign – in the words of Cara, “it’s the kind of girl you are I guess, you have the Mulberry-ness factor”. With regards to her love of Mulberry and the new collection, Cara says “it’s something about the heritage, but it’s still just really cool and unique and new.”

We couldn’t agree more.